Episode 159

Unlike the other well-kept departments, the entrance to the Mana Stone Management Division felt different from the very air itself. The damp walls were plastered haphazardly with powder and dust, and in the darkness, the mana stone storage cases glowed faintly. The place, holding both heat and cold in the air, reminded one of a back alley in a bustling marketplace.

“Turn the flame down a bit.”

“That’s strange. The threshold should be much lower, right?”

“Just turn the flame down, will you?”

Bang!

Every step echoed with strange sounds all around—cracking, grinding, and boiling mana stones—the unmistakable signs of ongoing experiments. Occasionally, an explosion would ring out, but no one there seemed to mind. They simply shielded their flasks with their bodies, making sure the research wasn’t disturbed.

“Heh heh heh… so radiant, so brilliant.”

Ian leaned against the door, watching Akorella’s back. The space was completely sealed off from the outside world. Only the soft purple glow from the Luron stones illuminated her face. She looked every bit the mad scientist. One of Akorella’s subordinates knocked on the door to announce their presence.

Knock knock.

“Captain Akorella.”

“Why!! I told you not to call me when I’m researching!”

“Minister Ian is here.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Her shift in attitude was so sudden it was almost frightening. She removed her goggles and gloves, then approached Ian.

“What brings you here, Minister? I was just about to send up the report. Ah, no, never mind. This is perfect timing. Come over here. By gradually increasing the pressure at ultra-low temperatures on the Luron stones, the bubbles change much more actively. But since we were only grinding them into powder before, how could we have known? What I mean is, these bubbles are basically the core of the mana stone—”

“Captain Akorella.”

Ian cut her off gently, calming her excited rambling. He placed a thick report on the desk and smiled warmly.

“That’s exactly what I came to ask. Next time, please make the report easier to understand. From what I gather, this could eliminate the side effects mentioned in the Siltham potion.”

“That’s right. Since it caused vomiting blood, it had a huge negative impact publicly. We’ve been worried about solving that for commercialization. But it looks like there won’t be any problems.”

Indeed, it’s money and willpower that change the world. With a large supply of Luron stones, the research had become much easier. Ian flipped through the report and asked again.

“No issues with efficacy?”

“It depends on how much Luron stone is used. Originally, the effect only triggered at the moment of vomiting blood, but now, by resolving the side effects, it might be possible to control it over time. Since we’re focusing on commercialization, we’ll coordinate with other departments on that.”

Bang!

Another explosion echoed from the end of the hallway. Clearly, someone’s experiment had failed. Ian nodded in understanding and tapped the table lightly.

“And this is just a hypothetical question.”

“Yes, yes. Ask away! I don’t know what it is, but if you start like that, you’re usually right. It’s probably a hypothetical.”

Akorella’s eyes sparkled, but her subordinate, unable to bear it, rubbed his forehead and left the lab. Left alone, Ian crossed his arms and smiled.

“There’s not a single word about neutralizing the Siltham potion in the report. Are you planning to submit a separate one?”

“Oh! Ian, you’re sharp.”

The Siltham potion research was proceeding with commercialization in mind. Commercial means market acceptance, and the easiest way to gain market favor is to anticipate countermeasures.

For example, if spears sell well, shields will too; if poisons are popular, antidotes will be in high demand. The same logic applies to the Siltham potion. There would definitely be explosive demand for ways to neutralize it.

“Of course, the Magic Department won’t officially research neutralization. But who knows about foreign countries or unknown apothecaries in the marketplace? It’s in our long-term interest to be ahead in understanding how to counter the Siltham potion.”

“To be honest, I’m not good at such petty calculations. I’m just curious about the spear that pierces everything and the shield that blocks everything. We did find a few errors where the potion’s effect was neutralized upon ingestion. I was going to organize those separately.”

“That information is classified.”

“Of course. You don’t have to worry about our people. They rarely leave the lab since they’re so focused on research.”

Bang!

Another explosion. A thick, acrid smoke rose, and Ian frowned, as if questioning whether this was really okay. But Akorella rummaged through a drawer as if used to it, dust falling from the layers of parchment.

“Uh, I left it here somewhere… Anyway, I’ll organize it roughly and send it in today.”

“I’ll be in the minister’s office for a while, so come directly.”

“Got it. Minister Ian, loyal as always!”

Not only had she supplied a large amount of Luron stones, but she also seemed to have a good rapport regarding the research. Akorella thought it was truly fortunate that Ian had become minister instead of Wesley, and she saluted playfully.

“Thanks for your hard work.”

As Ian left the Mana Stone Management Division, he waved his hand through the air repeatedly. Now he understood perfectly why the mages called this place a ‘den.’ It hadn’t been like this a hundred years ago, but clearly, the leader’s personality shaped the department’s atmosphere.

‘Looks like this side is roughly prepared.’

“Minister, you’re here.”

“Someone from the administration just came by.”

“From the administration?”

When Ian returned, Tommy trailed behind, setting down a pile of documents. Beric, who had been lounging on the sofa snacking on gulas, frowned in disgust.

“They came to check if the Siltham potion production was going smoothly. They set a schedule and asked if there were any delays. Just in case, I said I’d write a reply.”

It was like a trial. A judgment on whether the curse Gale testified about was true or not. The outcome would determine which way the palace’s currents would flow.

Ian had a rough idea, but since it was a torrent, he couldn’t map it perfectly. Who could predict where a drop of water would splash?

“Tell them there’s no problem, Your Highness.”

“Yes, understood.”

‘Gale has narrowly escaped death and will effectively gain a shield no one can touch for a while.’

Since his death would mean Bariel’s death, as was said. It would be revealed someday, but until then, even Marib wouldn’t dare harm him easily.

‘Then how will Marib respond? He’s the one trying to bring Gale down, while Gale is holding on. Will he just watch him survive, standing at the edge of the cliff?’

No way.

Marib has a once-in-a-lifetime chance. He’ll use every means to push Gale off, to make sure he can’t climb back up, to send him into the abyss.

‘The most impactful move would be…’

Ian bit his lip without realizing it. It was blasphemous and horrifying to even think about, but it wasn’t entirely unrealistic.

“Ian, you look grim again.”

Beric, who had been watching him quietly, spoke up. Lately, Ian had been lost in deep thought more often. Ian smiled faintly, and Beric clenched his fist, launching into a passionate speech.

“We’re all just trying to make a living, right? Hey, don’t work! He’s just giving you the bare minimum anyway.”

“There’s a level to making a living. Beric, if you want to live on gulas alone, be my guest.”

“…Then could you try working a little harder?”

“Oh, by the way, have you smelled this?”

Ian held the drug Gale had given up to Beric’s nose. In the borderlands, just a whiff caused fainting and hallucinations, so if it was the same, the reaction would be similar. Beric sniffed and blew his nose.

“I missed dinner because I passed out.”

“So it’s the same. You saw hallucinations too?”

“Yeah. But it’s a bit less intense than before.”

“Even if it’s the same drug, the maker and method can make a huge difference. What matters is that it’s the same substance.”

Ian twirled a pen in his hand and nodded. What kind of connection could there be between the drug distribution guild and Marib?

‘I sent a letter to Hielo and gave a hint to Merelrof as well. Asked them to find out where the drug Lady Lien gave us came from.’

But it would take time. Besides, Lady Lien only got her hands on the drug; it was unlikely she had ties to the core powers. She hadn’t been able to move freely under the count’s strict surveillance. For now, the fastest and most reliable way was to get the data Gale had collected.

‘Clues about the guild are Marib’s Achilles’ heel.’

It’s better to wait until after the meeting. Depending on the outcome—more precisely, Marib’s actions—his response would change, wouldn’t it?

Swish.

Ian looked out the window, imagining where the messenger he’d sent to Hielo might be flying. Thanks to the garden replacing the annex, sunlight poured in without restraint.

---

And finally, the day arrived.

“They’re not letting me enter the palace today? Why?”

“The delivery deadline is today.”

“I don’t know the details. There’s an order to block as many outsiders as possible until sunset.”

The atmosphere inside the royal palace was markedly different—tense and grim, like warriors bracing for battle, every nerve on edge. The guards, wary of any unexpected disturbances, had strictly limited all comings and goings. Everyone who served the palace had gathered in front of the grand conference hall.

“The Ministry of Magic has arrived.”

“Here comes the Ministry of Magic.”

“That’s Ian Hielo, the new minister, isn’t it?”

“Ah, so he’s the one who just took office.”

Ian strode ahead, clad in his uniform, his cloak billowing behind him. Following closely were Acorella and members of the Magic Operations Department. The murmurs around them didn’t cease until they reached the conference hall.

“They say he’s developed a new antidote.”

“Really? Haha, well, that’s something.”

Groups of people clustered together, exchanging curious and somewhat wary looks. It was as if they all silently agreed: this was the end of Lord Gale. After all, the antidote was concocted by the new minister, who owed his position to Marib’s influence. The outcome was all but predictable.

“By the way, I haven’t seen Lord Gale around lately.”

“Probably cursed. That’s why he’s been avoiding going outside.”

Ian couldn’t help but glance in that direction. Truth be told, he was just as curious. Of course, with the public eye and Marib’s watchful gaze, a private meeting was impossible. And messages sent had gone unanswered.

‘We swapped out the antidote and even sent instructions on how to neutralize it, just in case. Still no reply.’

Was he insane? Well, if that was the case, Ian wasn’t about to stop him. Then, suddenly, the sound of a carriage thundered behind Ian, shaking the ground with the powerful hooves of a magnificent steed.

“Ah.”

The flag fluttering from the carriage bore the emblem of the Haiman family. Ian, the Ministry staff, and all the department members stopped in their tracks, watching as the carriage came to a halt.

With a swift, graceful movement, a man stepped down—it was Gale himself. He smiled casually, running a hand through his hair. Everyone bowed deeply in respect at his unexpected arrival.

“Lord Gale, please take my hand.”

A woman’s voice followed—Melania, the youngest daughter of the Haiman family. Gale naturally took her hand and soon wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Be careful, Melania.”

“With you holding me, my lord, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Everyone sensed the charged energy between the two. As Gale ascended the stairs, his eyes met Ian’s, and he gave a subtle, secretive nod.

‘So that’s what you’ve been busy with.’

Before falling off the cliff, Gale was one of the few lifelines Ian could grasp.

Ian let out a quiet chuckle, locking eyes with him—an expression that said, Impressive, indeed.